ECSD Vote Preview

Elmira (WENY) -- The Board of Education's first budget of more than $114 million included a five percent tax levy hike and more than 100 teacher layoffs. But after voters failed to pass it with a 60 percent super majority, the budget was trimmed down. However, without the additional funds from taxpayers, more teachers will be losing their jobs.

The new "Plan B" budget stays within its 2.6 percent property tax cap, so it only needs a 50 percent-plus-one majority to pass.

Now, if tomorrow's vote fails to pass, district leaders will be forced to adopt "Plan C" -- the contingency budget, which cuts an additional $800,000 from the budget and restricts the district's spending.

"It's significant," said Superintendent Joe Hochreiter. "We have to try to contain our costs in the absence of the state being able to continue to fund us. So it's not uncommon, but when it's local, it appears to hurt more."

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow. They're located at Elmira Free Academy and Southside High School.